Kids Can Now Play Video Games, Get Fat At McDonald's As Well As Home

from the super-size-mario dept

Nintendo has inked a deal with hotspot provider Wayport so owners of its DS game handheld will be able to use free Wi-Fi in 6,000 McDonald's restaurants nationwide to play games. The deal takes advantage of the new pricing model Wayport announced last year, where Nintendo will pay a flat fee to the provider each month instead of a variable rate dependent on the number of connections, and as Glenn Fleishman points out, is just the second company to do so. It wouldn't be surprising to see more deals like this in the future, since the Wayport plan lets companies establish a fixed fee which they can then decide how to recoup, whether it's by charging for access, or by offering free service to try and boost sales. It should be a big win for McDonald's, too, as those kids playing Mario Kart are going to need lots of Happy Meals and orange soda.
Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  • identicon
    dorpus, 18 Oct 2005 @ 3:16pm

    McAnorexia?

    How about if they sell flavored 0.9% salt water solution to fill your stomach, along with a multi-vitamin pill? I've fasted for 24 hours, didn't drink much water either, but still managed to gain a pound.... interesting....

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      diego, 18 Oct 2005 @ 3:55pm

      Re: McAnorexia?

      when you stop eating your body goes in starvation mode and stores everything as fat



      as for the nintendo problem they already had gamecube systems at our local mcdonalds it didn't make that much of a difrence

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        dorpus, 18 Oct 2005 @ 4:10pm

        Re: McAnorexia?

        That would make sense, but you'd think the law of thermodynamics would hold -- I couldn't weigh more than what I put in.

        When I woke up, I took a big long piss which should have emptied whatever water I drank. I even worked out on the mat this morning too, and my bathroom scale is digital. My cat imitated me and only drank water too.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          xman, 18 Oct 2005 @ 4:21pm

          Re: McAnorexia?

          First of all, the Law of Thermodynamics is about the transfer of HEAT not weight.... Second of all, the "1 pound" that you "gained" is probably within the normal error of "digital scale" that you are using. Over the counter scales are not accurate enough to rely on to that degree!

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            dorpus, 18 Oct 2005 @ 4:28pm

            Re: McAnorexia?

            The first law implicitly includes the conservation of mass, since mass can be viewed as energy.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Kunzi18, 18 Oct 2005 @ 4:49pm

              Re: McAnorexia?

              I think McAnorexia is probably a overweight obese person who eats Mcdonalds on a daily basis. The point is that Mcdonalds is unhealthy and promoting Wi-Fi will eventually promote obesity. If they don't get fat then they will have other problems like diabetes. You're a fool McAnorexia - JUST GET THE POINT- MCDONALDS IS THE WORST FOOD YOU CAN EAT!

              link to this | view in chronology ]

              • identicon
                bluelip, 18 Oct 2005 @ 5:15pm

                Re: McAnorexia?

                I don't think they sell orange soda. That's the BK way. McDonalds has 'orange drink'. Think of it as earlier, but better 'Sunny-D'.

                link to this | view in chronology ]

              • identicon
                Anna, 18 Oct 2005 @ 8:22pm

                Re: McAnorexia?

                Because, of course, you can't occasionally eat there. Eating one unhealthy meal will turn you into a fat pig. Videogames will make you a fat pig. What about personal responsibility? Can't some people just have a good time without the lifestyle police screaming their fool heads off about how this or that is SO bad for you?

                Let parents raise their own kids. Stay the hell out of it. If I want to take my kids to McDonalds once a month or once a week or even once a day it is not your business. I don't take them much but really, you didn't bring them into this world, you don't pay to raise them, you've probably never met them, so why don't you mind your own business?

                Maybe you have poor self control, Kunzi, and need to be kept away from McDonalds and wifi connections, but some people do just fine. Don't take away from them because you have shortcomings.

                link to this | view in chronology ]

                • identicon
                  arcfixer, 18 Oct 2005 @ 9:17pm

                  Re: McAnorexia?

                  Amen.

                  link to this | view in chronology ]

                • identicon
                  Pauldy, 18 Oct 2005 @ 10:06pm

                  Re: McAnorexia?

                  I agree 100%. Personal responsibility doesn't mean as much however in a country with social programs that constantly bail those out who aren't responsible. In most recent news this would include airlines and those fine individuals who think lawsuits are like a lottery where all you have to do is make up a winning ticket.

                  link to this | view in chronology ]

                  • identicon
                    Anna, 19 Oct 2005 @ 3:35am

                    Re: McAnorexia?

                    Need to look more into the reforms of these social programs that are making it increasingly harder to get those programs, and for years now, have had limits on how long you can be on them, plus a lifetime cap.

                    People seem to think the life on welfare is luxirious and glamorous. From what I've seen, it's not. Well, maybe for the airlines it is...

                    link to this | view in chronology ]

                    • identicon
                      Ivan Sick, 20 Oct 2005 @ 10:19am

                      Re: McAnorexia?

                      I think Pauldy probably didn't mean "social programs" but more like acceptable trends in society. His examples point to corporations, not individuals.

                      btw, Techdirt causes violence. And cancer cures smoking.

                      link to this | view in chronology ]

                • identicon
                  Bob, 8 May 2006 @ 9:47am

                  Re: Re: McAnorexia?

                  So...if you bring a kid into the world, you can do whatever you want with the kid? Does this include hitting and rapeing the kid? Its not good for the kid, but you brought the kid into the world, thus you can do what you want?

                  And I'm only commenting on...
                  "Let parents raise their own kids. Stay the hell out of it. you didn't bring them into this world, you don't pay to raise them, you've probably never met them, so why don't you mind your own business?"

                  link to this | view in chronology ]

                • identicon
                  Anna, 8 Nov 2006 @ 9:33pm

                  Re: Re: McAnorexia?

                  Well, where I come from, lardasses who overburden the health care system and fill up already full hospitals and clinics due to weight related illness and diseases ARE MY BUSINESS!!

                  Airlines are considering making seats in planes bigger to accomodate fat people, and we are all going to have to absorb that cost when we buy a ticket.

                  Personally, as long as it doesn't affect me or my loved ones, I don't care. If people want to kill themselves and their own loved ones with food and laziness... be my guest.

                  I have been obese and have worked hard and lost the weight and have kept it off for 6+ years, so I have seen both sides.

                  link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          derr, 9 Jan 2007 @ 7:07am

          Re: Re: McAnorexia?

          or how about muscle weighs more than fat so your body storing fat doesn't make much sense fucktardos

          link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        StoneyDumples, 18 Oct 2005 @ 4:15pm

        Game Cubeish

        There's a difference... This offers your own system to be played nationwide for free, not someone elses where you need to take turns. Besides, the gamecube wasn't online... the DS is so addictive because the internet is addictive.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Stoned4Life, 18 Oct 2005 @ 3:25pm

    More than one reason to be happy

    I see how this will continue to have a negative effect on a worthless overweight population, but think of the plus. All those fat overweight people can stay as long as they want, eat as much as they want, and have an excuse to do it too. Wi-Fi.

    "Sorry, honey, I'm going to pull an all-nighter."
    "What? You're still at work?"
    "No... I'm at McDonalds. Good thing this one is open late!"

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Chris, 18 Oct 2005 @ 4:00pm

    Figures

    I can see it now....Headline: Parents Sue McDonald's for Child's Obesity and Killing Rampage...read more
    Johnny, 14, weighs in at about 240lbs and has subsiquenty murdered all of the employs as seen in the game GTA.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Devil's Dan, 18 Oct 2005 @ 5:05pm

      Re: Figures

      You are all retarded. It's not like these children will be forced to go to McDonalds. This is a convenience thing for when they do. Every parent is responsible for what their children take in. - Besides, not many fat people go on killing rampages. Like they'd catch up to those that manage to run away. haha. Idiots.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        StoneyDumples, 18 Oct 2005 @ 8:04pm

        Re: Figures

        Well, this thread turned from light hearted to... not so light hearted pretty quick... Everyone relax.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Derick, 18 Oct 2005 @ 5:34pm

    No Subject Given

    Well, I'm glad I neither eat at McDonalds, or eat games =P

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Newob, 19 Oct 2005 @ 2:17am

    Won't this just cause more violence?

    Videogames cause violence. McDonald's causes violence. Shouldn't we just send these kids to Iraq instead?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 13 Jul 2006 @ 4:24pm

    I WANT TO PLAY THEM NOW

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Model baby, 28 Nov 2006 @ 6:12pm

    Skinny people are good

    Why would people even eat fast food all it the food there is just sugar,fat,and salt and people that eat there must be retarded because SKINNY PEOPLE AND MODELS LIKE ME ROCK!!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    reeree + emilllly, 15 Dec 2006 @ 7:14am

    LOVERRRRRRLY !

    i think this idea is amazing ! i love geting fat at mcdonalds ! im soooo excited ! i realy cant wait ! im going to eat a burger now x bi bi x luvoooooooo x

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    tony, 17 Jan 2007 @ 9:16am

    i hate mcdonalds

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    jon handaconchockpallukie, 15 Feb 2007 @ 7:40pm

    im in a coma now

    micdonals SUCKS I JUST GOT OUT OF A COMA AND NOW MY MOM IS SUEING THEM CAUSE MY MOUTH HAS EMPLODED AND I EAT THROUGH A STRAW

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      kyle, 16 Mar 2007 @ 1:58pm

      Re: im in a coma now

      i feel you micdonalds sucs dick they lick it to
      i know a gay guy that works ther and he ask people
      if he can suck or lick ther dick for free food

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    kyle, 16 Mar 2007 @ 1:54pm

    good food

    go suck a dick micdonalds wendes is better dome ass

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    desti, 2 May 2007 @ 9:04am

    NO!!!!

    I THINK THAT THIS McDonalds outrage is very ridiculous!!!! This mcdonalds companies atre just doing this to lure in more people so they can get fat and DIE!!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    hgf, 3 May 2007 @ 5:19pm

    thr

    fgi

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Im Fat, 15 Dec 2007 @ 3:29pm

    IM FAT

    I WEIGH 490 POUNDS AND IM ONLY 12 I LOVE EATING BAD FOOD!! MY MOM IS SKINNY AND SO IS MY DAD BUT THEY LOVE SEEING ME HAPPY EATING ABOUT 5 MEALS THERE FOR ONE MEAL I EAT BAD FOOD ALL DAY! I ONCE SAT IN A SCHOOL CHAIR AND I BROKE ITS LEG SO THEY HAVE TO GE ME A BIG CHAIR AND MY CLOTHES IS IN THE BIG PEOPLE CLOTHS I AM JUST ABOUT OUT OF THOSE CLOTHES! MY MOM LOVES TO SEE MY EATING FOOD BC IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY I LOVE BEING FAT I LIKE WHEN MY BF TUSHES MY FAT SOMTIMES HE JUST PLAYS WITH MY FAT HE IS SKINNY BY THE WAY BUT HE WANTS ME TO STAY FAT BC HE LOVES MY FAT! AND SOMTIMES PEOPLE LOOK AT ME BUT I DONT CARE I LOVE TO EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ITS MY LIFE I JUST LOVE TO EAT I EAT MORE THEN MY MOM AND DAD WOULD IN A WEEK AND THEY LOVE ME WHEN I HAVE TO EAT THEY ARE SO HAPPY AND THEY DONT CARE THAT THE TEACHERS SAY ITS UNHEALTHY I DONT CARE SOMTIMES I DONT SLEEP ALL NIGHT I JUST EAT ALL DAY AND I HAVE ABOUT 5 LUCNEHS AT SCHOOL THEN SNACKS AND MORE FOOD I STAY ON THE COUATCH ALL DAY WHEN MY MOM AND DAD WORK!

    THEY LOVE ME BEING FAT AND SO DO I! I GOT TO EAT NOW!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Alison, 15 Dec 2007 @ 3:31pm

    OMG!

    What? 490 omg! I think you have a prop. I think you feel like you have to eat I think a teacher sould really tell somone to help you, did you ever go get a check up??

    Im just trying to help

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    amber appleford, 1 Feb 2008 @ 11:15am

    I love mcdonalds

    I love mcdonalds it is the place eat ever.from amber appleford. Age 11

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    sarah, 6 Jul 2008 @ 8:54pm

    I love deing fat

    I wish the word was fat and the oly thing we can eat is fat foodand mc dolad is a graet food

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    sarah, 6 Jul 2008 @ 9:05pm

    fat is call

    I weigh thouhgd klosh and it is fun. my friend is fun and i can push him offer wish a little hit.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 9 Dec 2008 @ 3:08pm

    fat people needs to lose lots of wait

    link to this | view in chronology ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.